what I'm reading

Inspiring stuff...

"Modern society is characterized by isolation and a weakened social fabric. The various sectors of our communities—businesses, schools, social service organizations, churches, government—work in parallel, not in concert. They exist in their own worlds as do so many individual citizens, who long for connection but end up marginalized, their gifts overlooked, their potential contributions lost. This disconnection and detachment makes it hard if not impossible to envision a common future and work towards it together.

We know what healthy communities look like—there are many success stories out there, and they've been described in detail. What Block provides in this inspiring new book is an exploration of the exact way community can emerge from fragmentation. How is community built? How does the transformation occur? What fundamental shifts are involved? He explores a way of thinking about our places that creates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that happen.

"My intent" he writes, "is provide structural ways to create the experience of belonging, not just in those places where people come to just be together socially, but especially in places where we least expect it. This includes those places where people come together to get something done. These are our meetings, dialogues, conferences, planning processes––all those occasions where we gather to reflect on and decide the kind of future we want for ourselves."

Citizens have the power to change the community story and bring a new context into being. Block shows us how we can overcome isolation and anxiety and create communities alive with energy and possibility. This book is written to support those who care for the well being of their communities. It is for anyone who wants to be part of an organization, neighborhood, city, or country that works for all, and who have the faith and the energy to create such a place."  from www.peterblock.com

hold the day in your heart

Perfect weather!  We Michiganders know that in the middle of February your thoughts go to Spring.  And yesterday's weather almost makes a winter like this year's tolerable.  The layers of green are starting to fill out.  From our roof deck we look over a small valley that is now popping with lime and hunter green.  It feels like being in a tree fort when you blur your eyes.   And with good weather comes happy cohousers.  We were out in force getting on top of Spring projects.

The landscaper just finished up this winding path to connect out to the park.  Kids just can't resist it and it pulls them in like a tractor beam.  Their eyes get all hazy as they get drawn toward the park.

Most of the dads found themselves watching kids in the park on Saturday morning.  Mother's Day inspired actions I'm sure.  

Marty, Lou and Jim took on another project.  We agreed to put up a screening wall between our parking wall and the neighbors.  We had some trees planned for this area, but space is such a premium on the site, that we renegotiated the site plan and carved out a space for some future composting or storage.  The trade off was 11 posts and some lattice work.  Many hands make for quick work though, and the posts are all in and steady.  

Ian volunteered to take Levi around for a couple laps as Levi pronounced, "Hold on tight, yeah!"